Abstract
Surface samples and cores were collected in 1993 fromthe Burlington Harbor region of Lake Champlain. Sediment samples were analyzed for trace metals(cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, silver and zinc),simultaneously extracted metal/acid volatile sulfide(SEM-AVS), grain size, nutrients (carbon and nitrogen)and organic contaminants (polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)). The concentrations of cadmium, copper,silver and zinc from the partial sediment digestion ofthe surface samples correlated well with each other(r 2>0.60) indicating that either a commonprocess, or group of processes determined the sedimentconcentrations of these metals. In an analysis of thespatial distribution of the trace metals and PAHs,high surficial concentrations were present in thesouthern portion of the Harbor. The trace metal trendwas strengthened when the concentrations werenormalized by grain size. A sewage treatment plantoutfall discharge was present in the southeasternportion of the Harbor at the time of this study and isthe major source of trace metal and PAH contamination. Evaluation of sediment cores provides a proxy recordof historical trace metal and organic inputs. Thepeak accumulation rate for copper, cadmium, lead, andzinc was in the late 1960s and the peak silveraccumulation rate was later. The greatestaccumulation of trace metals occurred in the late1960s after discharges from the STP began. Subsequentdeclines in trace metal concentrations may beattributed to increased water and air regulations. The potential toxicity of trace metals and organiccontaminants was predicted by comparing contaminantconcentrations to benchmark concentrations andpotential trace metal bioavailability was predictedwith SEM-AVS results. Surface sample results indicate lead,silver, ΣPAHs and ΣPCBs are potentially toxicand/or bioavailable. These predictions were supportedby studies of biota in the Burlington Harborwatershed. There is a clear trend of decreasing PAHand trace metal contaminant concentrations withdistance from the STP outfall.
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Lacey, E.M., King, J.W., Quinn, J.G. et al. Sediment Quality in Burlington Harbor, Lake Champlain, U.S.A.. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 126, 97–120 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005271101398
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005271101398